Unveiling Putin's palace: Billion-dollar palace with its own church, winery and hidden safety tunnels
5:34 PM EST, January 13, 2024
The architects who conceptualized Vladimir Putin's palace on the Black Sea left nothing to chance. As per businessinsider.com, this elaborate complex, worth billions of dollars and occupying more than 613,500 square feet, is strategically situated on a rocky outcropping overlooking the Black Sea, replete with every conceivable luxury befitting an autocrat.
Aleksei Navalny's investigation unveiled that the palace boasts its own church, winery, and casino. Other luxuries include a lounge with a hookah and designated area for strippers, a garden, and an ice rink on which Putin enjoys playing hockey with his friends.
Many journalists assert that Putin harbors an obsession for his personal safety, and thus, he's well-prepared to handle any potential attack. Earlier this month, Russian authorities reported an unsuccessful drone attack against Putin, culminating in an explosion over the Kremlin.
The subterranean complex beneath Putin's palace comprises two independent tunnels linked by an elevator plunging over 160 feet underground. According to the architectural plans, these concrete-lined tunnels grant access to fresh water, ventilation, and numerous cables.
"Putin is acutely aware he isn't entirely a lawful leader of Russia," commented Michael C. Kimmage, a former State Department official who specialized in Russian and Ukrainian policy. "Given that his legitimacy isn't entirely election-based, he seeks to maximize his personal safety through a network of well-fortified private residences," he added.
"He Aims to Survive or Escape"
Tunnel exits are observable beneath the palace, emerging on a barren cliff above the beach. The lower tunnel includes a moving walkway that leads to the exit.
"This configuration offers comprehensive safety and protection," observed Tadeusz Gabryszewski, a civil engineer specializing in defensive structures, who reviewed the schematics for Insider. "It includes a fire system, water, and sewage. It's designed for someone looking to survive or escape," he concluded.
